Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane on the expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in hippocampal neurons of rats.Methods Forty-eight pathogen-free healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes,weighing 210-280 g,aged 3-4 months,were divided into 4 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and 1%,3% and 5% sevoflurane groups (S1,S2 and S3 groups).In S1,S2 and S3 groups,1%,3% and 5% sevoflurane were inhaled for 1 h,respectively.Morris water maze test was performed at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia to assess the cognitive function.Six rats in each group were sacrificed after the end of the test.The brains were then removed and the hippocampi were isolated for detection of the expression of α7nAChR (by Western blot) and contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).Results Compared with group C,the number of crossing the platform was significantly decreased at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia in group S1,the time of staying at the target quadrant was significantly shortened,the number of crossing the platform was decreased,and the rate of time of staying at the original platform quadrant and rate of swimming distance at the original platform quadrant were decreased at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia in S2 and S3 groups,and the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 were significantly increased,and the expression of α7nAChR was down-regulated at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia in S1,S2 and S3 groups (P<0.05).Compared with group S1,the expression of α7nAChR was significantly down-regulated at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia in S2 and S3 groups (P<0.05).Compared with group S2,the expression of α7nAChR was significantly down-regulated at 1 day after anesthesia in group S3 (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in each parameter of Morris water maze test among group S1,group S2 and group S3 (P>0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which sevoflurane induces inflammatory responses in hippocampi is related to down-regulation of α7nAChR expression in hippocampal neurons of rats.

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the clinical characteristics, in-hospital and three-year outcome in ST-elevation myocardial Infraction (STEMI) patients receiving conservative treatment (CT), thrombolytic treatment (TT) and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Beijing.

METHODSThis 12-month prospective, multicenter registry study was conducted in 19 hospitals with 808 patients with STEMI in Beijing between Jan. 2006 and Dec. 2006, 518 (64%) received PCI, 106 (16.1%) received TT and 184 (22.8%) received CT therapy. Patients were followed up for 3 years.

RESULTSAt baseline, the age of patients in CT group [(64.5 ± 13.5) years] was significantly higher than those in TT group p(57.9 ± 11.0) years] and in PCI group [ (60.4 ± 12.3) years, all P<0.01]; and the median time from symptom onset to hospital in CT group (207 min) was significantly longer than those in TT group (130 min) and PCI group (130 min, all P<0.01). Emergency Medical Service (EMS) use was significantly higher in PCI group (184/518, 35.5%) than in CT group (46/184, 27.3%) and TT group (29/107, 25.0%, all P<0.05). Health insurance holder was the highest in PCI group (P<0.01). PCI was performed less frequently than thrombolytic therapy [66.6% (345/518) vs. 80.2% (85/106)m P=0.02] during off-hours and more frequently performed in tertiary hospitals than in secondary hospitals[66.8%(437/651) vs. 52.6% (81/154, P<0.01)]. The in-hospital mortality and the cardiovascular mortality at 3 year after hospital discharge was significantly higher in CT group [9.2% (17/185) and 9.4% (15/159)] than in PCI group [3.5% (18/518), 4.5% (20/446)] and TT group [6.6% (7/106), 2.3% (2/86), all P<0.01]. Patients in PCI group had the highest adherence level of aspirin, β-blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-receptor blockers or statins at 3-years follow-up (all P<0.05). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that only PCI was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular death (HR-0.40, 95% CI:0.21-0.73, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSocial and clinical setting may affect the physician's decision to provide reperfusion therapy in Beijing for STEMI patients. Better adherence of secondary preventive drugs and lower cardiovascular death are observed in STEMI patients receiving PCI during the 3-year follow-up

Aged ; China ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and possible molecular mechanisms of adenoid cystic carcinoma with high-grade transformation.

METHODSFour cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma with high-grade transformation were enrolled into the study. Immunohistochemical study for smooth muscle actin, p63, p53 and Ki-67 was carried out. C-myc gene status was analyzed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization.

RESULTSThere were altogether 3 males and 1 female. The mean age of the patients was 55.5 years. Two patients died 17 months and 29 months after operation, respectively. One patient had distant metastasis 23 months after operation and was still alive at 26-month follow up. The remaining patient remained tumor free at 3-month follow up. High-grade transformation in adenoid cystic carcinoma presented either as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma. Histologic examination showed sheets of pleomorphic tumor cells occupying more than one low-power field. The high-grade carcinoma cells showed increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, prominent eosinophilic nucleoli and active mitosis (ranging from 8 to 25 per high-power field). Comedo necrosis was observed in 2 cases and multiple foci of calcifications in 3 cases. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated loss of myoepithelial differentiation, overexpression of p53 and high proliferative index by Ki-67. No c-myc translocation or copy-number changes were observed.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-grade transformation in adenoid cystic carcinoma is rare. The histopathologic features are rather distinctive and the biologic behavior is aggressive. C-myc gene mutation does not seem to play a key role in the pathogenesis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Eye Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genes, myc ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Parotid Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

Objective To study effects of fluid resuscitation on thoracoabdominal injury combined with hemorrhagic traumatic shock.Method A total of 98 patients,who were treated in Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from November 2004 to December 2006,were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were diagnozed according to Surgery(fifth edition).Patients were divided into delayed fluid resuscitation group(n= 51)and immediate fluid resuscitation group(n=47).Patients in delayed fluid resuscitation group were given with balanced salt solution for the body to maintain basic requirements.Patients in immediate fluid resuscitation group were rapidly administered with a lot of isotonic crystaUoid and(or)colloid solution after admission. Hemoglobin,platelet count,hematocrit,blood lactic acid,basedeficit,preoperative resuscitation time and mortality were compared between the two groups.Paired t test and variance analysis or x~2 test were used.Results The transfusion fluid volume of delayed group and immediate group was(1586?346)ml,(3520?575)ml, respectively,with P value

Objective To investigate variation of lumbar spine stability in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) after two types selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR) at lumbosacral and conical sites.Methods Forty-five cases of SCP have undergone with lumbosacral SPR and 38 with conical SPR. Posteroanterior, lateral, 40°-double-oblique, and dynamic (hyperextension and hyperflexion) position lumbar Xray films were taken for all of them before and three months to seven years ( 19 months in average) after operation to observe postoperative lumbar deformity, lumbosacral angle, lateral Cobb' s angle, arch-vertex distance, lordotic index, Posner's definition, and other stability indicators pre- and post-operation of the two groups. Results ① There was statistically significant difference in lumbosacral angle, lateral Cobb's angle, arch-vertex distance, lordotic index and Posner's definition at the 1 st to 2nd lumbar vertebrae (L1-L2 ), the 4th to 5th lumbar vertebrae ( L4 - L5 ), and the 5th lumbar to the 1st sacral vertebrae ( L5 - S1 ) among those with lumbosacral SPR before and after operation (P ＜0. 05). But, only Posner's definition at the 12th thoracic vertebra to the 2nd lumbar vertebra ( T12 - L2 ) varied significantly ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) among those with conical SPR ② Various lumbar deformity was observed in six cases ( 13% ) with lumbosacral SPR, three of them with instable neurological symptoms; while two cases (5%) did so after conical SPR,one with neurological symptoms, with statistical significance ( P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusions Little variation of lumbar spine stability is found among children with spastic cerebral palsy in mid-short term after SPR, while influence of conical SPR is much less on lumbar stability. Their long-term postoperative influence has to be followed-up further.

A method for the determination of S-Adenosyl-L-methionine in fermentation liquid using the high performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV detector (HPLC-UV) was developed.A good linearity was obtained in the range of 0.1～1.0g/L (r = 0.9969) for S-Adenosyl-L-methionine.The average recoveries of S-Adenosyl-L-methionine were 99.89%～101.7% and the relative standard deviations were 0.48%～1.36%.The method is simple and rapid with reproducibility for the determination of S-Adenosyl-L-methionine in ferment liquid.

An endophytic bacterium strain EBS05 from Cinamonum camphra was identified as Bacillus subtilis by morphological taxonomy and sequence analysis of 16S~23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions. Properties of antimicrobial compound produced by EBS05 were assayed. The active compound had the maximum absorbance peak at ?213.5 nm. The antimicrobial activity was stable in solution with pH value from 5 to 8, and decreased significantly in solution with pH value less than 4.0 or more than 9.0. The antimicrobial compound had thermodynamics stability. Its activity changed a little after treated at 60?C~80?C for two hours, and compared with 65% original activity after treated at 1?105 Pa for 30 minutes. The active substance had high resistance to ultraviolet radiation and protease K. Antimicrobial compound was soluble in alcohol solu- tion, which was easily dissolved in methanol and ethanol, but not dissolved in ethyl acetate, acetonitrile and petroleum et al.

Objective To study the influence of periacetabular muscle contraction on acetabular] fractures.Methods Twenty intact adult cadaveric pelvis(40 hip joints)treated antiseptically with bilat- eral 1/2 femoral shafts were selected and divided randomly into two groups(20 hip joints in each group). Then,the specimens were trimmed to fit the RMT-150B rock mechanics measuring system and the special in- creasing pressure system.After pressure of 3 500 N was pressed to the control group and pressure of 4500 N to the experimental group,acetabular fracture model was made by beatening with special striking machine,when striking force was recorded.Results We made forty aeetabular fracture models from 40 cadaveric hips. Pearson correlation coefficient of pressing force and striking force was -0.923(P＜0.01).The striking force of the control group and the experimental group was 445-550 N and 290-400 N,respectively(t= 14.727,P＜0.01).Conclusion The increase of contraction force of the periaeetabular muscles can decrease aeetabular stress and strain,influence the result of violent injury and play a vital role in inducing acetabular fractures.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of rhein on reducing starvation-induced autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial ( NRK-52E) cells.

METHODHank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) was used to induce NRK-52E cells to be in the state of starvation. After the intervention of HBSS for 0, 0.5,1, 2 and 6 hours, firstly, the protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3 I/II), which is a key protein in autophagy, was detected. Secondly, the protein expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated-mTOR Ser2448 (p-mTOR S2448) were examined. And then, after the co-treatment of rhein (5 mg x L(-1)) and HBSS (1 mL) without or with mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin (100 nmol x L(-1)), the protein expressions of LC3 I/II, mTOR and p-mTOR S2448 were tested, respectively.

RESULTHBSS could induce the up-regulation of LC3 II and the down-regulation of p-mTOR S2448 at protein expression level in NRK-52E cells. The co-treatment of rhein and HBSS could reversely regulate the protein expressions of LC3 II and p-mTOR S2448 in NRK-52E cells significantly. The co-treatment of rapamycin, rhein and HBSS could recover the level of LC3 II protein expression in HBSS-intervened NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONHBSS induces autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway activation. Rhein reduces the autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial cells through regulating mTOR signaling pathway activation, which is the possible effects and molecular mechanisms.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isotonic Solutions ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the effects and mechanisms of Qifu decoction( QFD) on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) in model rats with yang-deficiency syndrome.

METHODThe rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the Sham group (Group A), the Model group (Group B), the Qifu decoction group (Group C) and the Enalapril group (Group D). The RIF model was established by adenine administrated and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) of the left ureter. After the model was successfully established, the rats in Group C and D were administrated with QFD or the Enalapril suspension,while the rats in Group A and B were administrated with distilled water. All rats were administrated for 3 weeks. Before administration and at the end of week 1, 2 and 3, the rats were weighted, and 24 h urinary protein excretion (Upro), urinary β2-microglobulin (Uβ2-MG) and urinary N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were examined, respectively. All rats were killed after administration for 3 weeks. Blood and renal tissues were collected, renal morphology and tubulointerstitial morphology were evaluated, respectively. Serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and uric acid (UA) were detected, respectively. The protein expressions of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), onnective tissue growth factor (CTGF) extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) and phosphorylated-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in kidney were evaluated, respectively.

RESULTQFD ameliorated serum cAMP level and the rate of cAMP/cGMP, attenuated urinary β2-MG level, NAG level and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, increased E-cadherin protein expression, and reduced α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions in the kidney. However, QFD had no influence on renal function in vivo. In addition, these effects were better than those of the model rats treated by Enalapril.

CONCLUSIONQFD could alleviate yang-deficiency parameters, as well as urinary β2-MG level and NAG level in model rats induced by adenine administration and UUO. Moreover, QFD could improve EMT and RIF by up-regulating E-cadherin protein expression, and down-regulating α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions, the key molecular in ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; complications ; Yang Deficiency ; complications